Atletico Madrid Vs Real Madrid: Spanish Super Cup Today At 9:30pm

siteowner

senior

Gender : Posts : 1241Location : AKUREJob/hobbies : STUDENT

James Rodriguez may have a bagged a goal on hisBernabeu debut, but Real Madrid still have a lot of work todo if they are to clinch the Spanish Super Copa with thescore tied at 1-1 after the first leg.The Colombian profited from a goalmouth scramble toedge Real ahead but below-strength Atletico – who lookedimpotent in attack for much of the contest – equalised lateon through Raul Garcia.With the Liga title race anticipated to eclipse last year’senthralling episode, both sides will be acutely aware thatvictory in the season precursor could provide a crucialmental edge.Real have set their sights on winning all six trophies onoffer in the 2014/15 season having already clinched theEuropean Super Cup against Sevilla.TEAM NEWSAtletico may hand a start to summer signing AntoineGriezmann, with the Frenchman set to operate just behindMario Mandzukic upfront. Jan Oblak and Arda Turan areexpected to miss out again.Cristiano Ronaldo will be fit for the clash after going offas a precaution at half time during the first leg with ahamstring strain. There were initial fears the Portuguesestar had suffered a recurrence of the knee injury that hesuffered at the back end of last season and carried intothe World Cup but that was quickly played down. Want-away midfielder Angel Di Maria is unlikely to feature.MANAGER QUOTESDiego Simeone on the upcoming Liga season: "I do notlike to lie to people and one thing is clear: we cannotcompete with Madrid and Barcelona. Our rivals will beSevilla, Valencia and Athletic (Bilbao), our objective is thirdplace. We are putting together the group and we havechanged, above all in attack. I look at it as a new startespecially in attack because the team is different.Mandzukic, Jimenez and Griezmann are different toCosta, Villa and Adrian. We have, though, kept the samesolid structure which is the base of the team, but we arenow looking for the best style to adopt with this. We haveto have patience. We are the champions but the playersare not the same and we are in a different league to Barcaand Madrid."Carlo Ancelotti: "We are used to playing against Atleticoand they are used to facing us. I don't think the style ofgame will be different, they now have the advantage fromtheir positive result at the Bernabeu but I think it will be thesame type of match. We need to defend, counter attackwell and take advantage of free-kicks. Di Maria asked toleave this summer and rejected the option to renew. Wewill look for the best option for him and if at the end ofAugust he is still here then he will work with us like lastseason."